Countdown to Darkness #1 and Star Trek Ongoing.

As with the 2009 film, J.J. Abrams and Bad Robot—together with IDW—are utilizing the comics to deliver the background to what will take place on the big screen. After months of speculation, the first issue of Countdown to Darkness brings us a well-written story that starts to make a small bit of sense out of what we’ve seen in the trailers. And then it throws a wicked curveball at us.

In this episode of Literary Treks we discuss Countdown to Darkness #1 and what it could mean for the movie. We also discuss the first six issues of Star Trek Ongoing—Where No Man Has Gone Before, The Galileo Seven, and Operation: Annihilate—and speculate on what clues about the movie may be hidden there.

In our news segment we look at the surprising reveal of Klingons on the cover of Countdown to Darkness #4, the special limited edition Enterprise cover for Countdown to Darkness #1, and the Countdown to Darkness Collection that will bring together all four issues in one volume in April. We also talk about the rest of IDW’s 2013 comic lineup, which includes the John Byrne collection, back stories for Sulu and Chekov, and the Space-Spanning Treasury.

To Brave the Storm. John Jackson Miller in News. We discuss if the book covers enough, the pacing, Mayweather returning, T’Pau’s change of heart, Romulans, Trip and T’Pol, what might have been and ratings.

Rules of Accusation: Paula M. Block and Terry J. Erdmann. We have a surprise interview with Paula Block and Terry Erdmann from the Shore Leave convention and then we discuss this latest foray into the Ferengi world.

Captain to Captain. We discuss a brand new series, previously on the Space Ship Enterprise, legacies, slugs, parallels, the transfer key and connections, The Prime Directive, legacy of the Enterprise, ratings and final thoughts.

The Romulan War: Beneath the Raptor’s Wing. We discuss the expansive scope, Columbia’s disappearance, character work, media in wartime, war - what is it good for?, losing the Nfs, ratings and final thoughts.

Star Trek: Avenger. We discuss coming back to the book, the Federation’ existential and ecological crisis, a group with questionable policies, Kirk as Sarek’s “Son”, Kirk avenging, the return…again, ratings and final thoughts.

The Last Will Be First: Tristan Riddell. Matthew Rushing and Dan Gunther are joined by Bruce Gibson and Strange New Worlds contestant Tristan Riddell to talk about his DS9 story The Last Will Be First. Then as a special treat and for the first time ever, we present the audiobook version of his story to the world.

Elusive Salvation: Dayton Ward. We discuss the title, continuing in history’s shadow, new aliens, where to go, the timey-whimy, Roberta Lincoln, cheekiness, SPOILERS, the importance of hope, a pop question, what’s next for Dayton and where to find him online.

Kobayashi Maru. We discuss Archer coming into his own, wrong things for the wrong reasons, a shadowy man, a shadowy problem, overly long and not a lot of plot points, the Kobayashi Maru, historical connections and our ratings.

Live By the Code. We discuss the interesting series, the greater good, Trip’s soul and Section 31, Klingon connections, interference, fanatical racism, a full plate, the problem of dependency and our ratings.